PRE-GAME RANT

Well I’m not too sure if anyone cares about this game. It should pretty much come and go without anyone even noticing really. Just another old game between Canada and the United States. Just a game for a piece of ductile metal. Meaningless.

Obviously I’m being facetious here. This is one of those moments in hockey history that could be remembered for a while. How it is remembered is yet to be known. These games really have been fantastic for Canada, and it’s my hope that one of the end points of the games will be fantastic as well.

I’m sure no American or Canadian hockey fan needs to be reminded what happened the last time these two teams met, on February 21st, but for those that don’t know, it was of course a 5-3 win for the United States. Canadians consider hockey to be “our game”. No one is allowed to be better at it than us, and at least on that day, the U.S. was. So everyone donning that red jersey Sunday should have a lot to prove. I expect a pretty damn good show from Canada, and what remains to be seen for me is who in the Red, White and Blue are going to be doing the same. I expect a pretty epic game.

No prediction for today… I don’t want to jinx anything. I have a lot of hope for Canada, but let’s just see how it pans out. Hopefully both teams deliver an entertaining package. That’s all either countries fans can ask!

Eric Johnson panics and passes a brutal pass to Rafalski (from just behind the goal line, about 5 feet forward), and Rafalski loses it to Richards. Richards shoots it on net and it’s saved by Miller but Toews gets the rebound in.

2ND PERIOD SCORING

CAN – 7:13 – Perry from Getzlaf, Keith

Getzlaf carries it in the zone. He tries to throw it on net, but it hits an American defender and redirects to the slot to Perry. He beats Miller with a perfect shot.

USA – 12:44 – Kesler from Kane

Kane shoots it on net and it tips off Kesler’s stick out front and squeaks through Luongo’s right arm.

3RD PERIOD SCORING

USA – 19:36 – Parise from Langenbrunner, Kane

With the Americans pressing, Parise and Langenbrunner get behind the defense. The puck is on the doorstep for Parise, and he puts it in.

OVERTIME SCORING

CAN – 7:40 – Crosby from Iginla

Iginla and Crobsy work it around together. Iginla takes it near the corner and passes it back to Crosby. He fires a quick shot off that beats Miller.

SHOTS ON GOAL

1st

2nd

3rd

OT

Total

CAN

10

15

7

7

39

USA

8

15

9

4

36

POST-GAME RANT

Well many of us who wished for a close game were taking our words back when the Americans were rallying in the 3rd and eventually tied it up. But thank the hockey gods… “the true North strong and free” won it. The Americans put on a hell of a show. One thing I’ll say is sometimes its too bad that with every winner comes a loser. But the Americans can be proud. They didn’t win gold, but they won a lot of respect. Congrats to Canada, and way to end this Olympics with an exclamation point! 14 golds for Canada.. the most ever by a host country. Correction: that is the highest gold medal count for any nation, period.

It’s interesting, Canada continues the same basic cycle down low (Which I’m thinking that is Babcock’s doing) and many of the teams have yet to pick up on this. It is however simple yet effective.

I hate that I have to work tomorrow 9-5pm, while the new kid gets the day off because he apparently is “busy”, where I’ve worked at the same place for four years and asked for the day off with no go because “we don’t have enough people on”. It’s kind of retarded because I highly doubt too many people will be shopping for produce while the game is on, whether you like hockey or not. Oh well, maybe I’ll sneak an extra long coffee or something. (End college p/t job rant)

zackman, I think part of the reason the cycle stays effective is that most of our forwards are monsters, and it’s not so much that the other teams aren’t adjusting but that there just really isn’t much they CAN do about it.

Although the one who should be most suited to a cycle game, namely Big Joe, has been outright poor in these Olympics. I’d argue that almost anyone could have replaced him without much difference, he’s done sweet nothing for the team. At least Horcoff would bring some intensity 😉

Just as a comparison point, Canada had 0 gold, 2 silver and 3 bronze (5 overall medals) at the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary (I use that as an example because it was the last games in Canada). In 2006, we had 7 gold, 10 Silver, 7 bronze (24 overall medals). This year so far we have 13 gold (leading in that), 7 Silver, 5 Bronze (25 overall medals).

NorwegianOiler: Although the one who should be most suited to a cycle game, namely Big Joe, has been outright poor in these Olympics. I’d argue that almost anyone could have replaced him without much difference, he’s done sweet nothing for the team. At least Horcoff would bring some intensity

Agreed. This guy sucks. He never shows up for the playoffs and always sucks internationally. The only reason he’s on the team is because of the line he centres. He’s a great regular season NHL point producer, but he doesn’t win you championships. That being said, Marleau has looked very good.

To Racki, yeah, Joe is famous for being flabby. He’s not ever in very good shape. It really shows when he gets pushed of the puck like a fluff of dandelion. To tell you the truth, I questioned him being on there from day one. His track record speaks for itself. He’s not a big game player.

Like I said, I just hope he plays well for the tournament and isn’t a liability. He’s not a guy that would even be in my top 30 if I was to pick a guy to build a franchise around. Thoresen had a better tourney than he did and he’s been cast off by two NHL teams. What does that say about Joe?

P.S. I’m ranting on him to try and get the karmic rebound i.e. he plays well and completely suffocates my view of him. 😛

I love how McGuire just ranted about Kesler knowing the boards so well in Vancouver and intentionally shooting wide when the replay clearly shows his shot ripping off the shins of Weber and then going wide. 😆

Edmonton Journal’s twitter just said that Visnovsky was reprimanded by the IOC for pseudoephedrine in his system. It was taken in Advil Cold and Flu he consumed to help with sickness he was fighting. Not a big deal at all, but it’s against the rules and he apparently was unaware that it contained a banned substance.

I don’t blame Lou for that last one.. two guys got behind our D (Langenbrunner and Parise). Only so much a guy can do. That said, the whole game I’ve been thinking he has been a littttle too shakey for my liking.

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